best musicks of 2008

The following are the 2008 albums of musicks I fell hard for this year. Shortlist. I give them in some sort of semi-numerical order. Forgive me my trying to put this into words. Listen as you go if you care to.

Released in 2007, but I couldn't leave it alone
Radiohead.In Rainbows
Reckoner
I love this album. Moving on.

12.Jenny Lewis.Acid Tongue
Acid Tongue
Tired and a little achy, but willing to cope and go on. Jenny Lewis seems to open the door on this album, and tell the story. I've never been a big fan of Rilo Kiley; a few songs here and there were all I could handle. This is different. Good different.

11.The Duke Spirit.Neptune
The Step and the Walk
"She has a sexy voice. You say she has stage presence? Wow, she has a really sexy voice." Actual quote from Tony, and not far off. Sets you spinning from the gecko. The get-go. The Greco-Roman. Her ooh's and oo-ooh's turn the table over.

10.MGMT.Oracular Spectacular
Weekend Wars
So spooky and lost teenagery, you'll forget where you are and start a weekend war. Altogether creepy and atmospheric, while maintaining a down-to-earth realistic feel.

9.Notwist.The Devil, You+Me
Gone, Gone, Gone
Oh so tender and moody. Light and dark, wrapped into eachother. Experimental and quietly jabbing you in the brain socket.

8.Hot Chip.Made in the Dark
Ready for the Floor
A dollop of fun. Will shake yourself for you if you were previously unwilling to do so. It is pure and absolute Hot Chip, with all the quirks and blips and wooky-wookyness to make you feel like you are jiving in the homiest, most comfy.

7.Sigur Ros.Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
Gobbledigook
Voted by Caitie and I to be the "Most Indie Band Out There, Ever", I'm almost glad I don't understand the words they sing, as I can make up my own meanings. This album is a little different from their others, which works out well for me. It has a more acoustic, and overall quiet feel, though some tracks offer the crazed deep drummings and running themes. Good ambienttttt.

6.The Dodos.Visiter
Eyelids
I found this a little late as well, but it took me and my house by storm. The click-clacking of the drums with the impossibly rich (and sometimes ridiculously fast) brassy, tinny guitar is layered perfectly with the gentle voice. Urgent. These be insane children. Insert dumb extinction joke here.

5.Vampire Weekend.Vampire Weekend
Walcott
Goofy, happy, tender. Ultimately catchy and different than everything. That alone doesn't entitle it to praise, however, there is something to be said about a couple guys making music that doesn't sound like anybody else's. Sticks in the head like a cat to catnip.

4.Ratatat.LP3
Shempi
Anything for this music. What is this music for? People have been known to drop everything and begin riding a horse while listening to Ratatat, and this album has the bruises to prove it. Will drip through every crevice in your brain.

3.Black Keys.Attack & Release
Strange Times
Gritty, coarse, beautiful. Incites rocking out. Energetic to the point of neurotic. This duo is a powerhouse armed. Do not operated heavy machinery while listening, though you'll want to.

2.Bon Iver.For Emma, Forever Ago
Creature Fear
The wintry sadness of this music is enveloping. This guy must have gone through some heartbreak. I could feel it in my bones. The tunes are very minimalistic, which works to our benefit. This album can be seen as a surrender. This album should be listened to as a whole, at least twice in a row. I discovered this one a little late, but it was the perfect timing as winter was setting it.

1.Fleet Foxes.Fleet Foxes
Blue Ridge Mountains
The pinnacle for this album came when we drove up to the cabin, and arrived just as blue ridge mountains began playing. The six of us in the van sat and soaked in the cold mountain air while listening. Robin Pecknold's voice is a clear stream of spring water. I could listen to the Fleet Foxes while reading The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and get high. Naturally. Tiger Mountain Peasant song is from a different time. As Nate said, must like Fleet Foxes, must have a fleet of foxes. The harmonies are engulfing.

What did you like?

amy remember

when we ate nectarines on the sandstone at upper calf creek falls on the fourth of july?

regret.

regret not finding humberto ak'ab'al's poetry books while i was in guatemala.

early hours

In the high hours of the night
stars get naked
and bathe in the rivers.

Owls desire them,
the little feathers on their heads
stand up.




i wish you could understand the spanish. my translations are inadequate.

http://akabal.com/